﻿12 SEEDS AND PLANTS IMPORTED. 



47895 to 47897. 



From Montevideo, Uruguay. Presented by Sr. R. S. Silveira. Received 

 July 15, 1919. 



47895. Helianthtjs annutjs L. Asteracese. Sunflower. 



"Seeds of a Russian variety grown in this country." (Silveira.) 

 47896 and 47897. Ricinus communis L. Euphorbiaceae. Castor-bean. 



47896. The ordinary variety with small gray seeds. 



47897. Var. sanguineus, with large reddish seeds. 



47898. Oryzopsis miliacea (L.) Benth. and Hook. Poaceae. 



Grass. 



From Algiers, Algeria. Presented by Dr. L. Trabut. Received July 16, 

 1919. 



" I am sending seeds of Oryzopsis miliacea, an indigenous grass which is quite 

 resistant in saline situations and forms a good pasturage in such places." 

 ( Trabut ) 



47899. Gonolobus edulis Hemsl. Asclepiadacese. 



From La Gloria, Cuba. Presented by Mr. Irving L. Ward. Received July 

 17, 1919. 



" Seeds which I grew from S. P. I. No. 35249 sent me from Washington, 

 June 12, 1913. The soft, green fruits are very good when fried like eggplant. 

 They are also delicious baked, after being peeled and boiled until tender in a 

 little water; they should be baked only long enough to dry off the water." 

 (Ward.) 



47900. Guaiacum guatemalense Planch. Zygophyllaceae. 



Guayacan. 



From Zacapa, Guatemala. Collected by Dr. F. S. Johnson. Received July 

 19, 1919. 



" The guayacan, sometimes called by Americans lignum-vitw, is found in 

 abundance upon the plains of the lower Motagua valley, in the vicinity of El 

 Rancho, Zacapa, and other towns. It is a small tree, sometimes attaining 30 

 feet in height, usually somewhat spreading in habit, with a trunk sometimes 

 gnarled and twisted and having slender branches. The leaves are small and 

 delicate. Toward the end of the dry season, i. e., in February or March, the tree 

 comes into flower and is then a mass of lavender-purple, distinguishable for 

 long distances across the plains. It remains in bloom for several weeks. 



" The wood is exceedingly hard. Though difficult to work, it is of value for 

 cabinet purposes. The heartwood is rich brown in color, while the sapwood 

 which surrounds it is light yellow. Both take a fine polish. 



" The tree thrives in a warm climate, with little rainfall. The soil upon 

 which it grows is often rocky and poor. Whether it will stand any frost 

 can not be stated*, but it seems likely that it may succeed in parts of Cali- 

 fornia, Arizona, and perhaps Florida. It should be given a trial as an orna- 

 mental." (Wilson Popenoe.) 



For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 44858. 



